Upcycle Update – Desk Toy

For my Upcycle project, I am making my own rendition of a Turner’s Cube out of a scrap piece of aluminum. To start, I researched Turner’s cubes online. After seeing varying designs and types, I understood the aesthetic I was going for, cubes in circles that are not free floating. I designed my cube in Solidworks. I played with several different ratios of circle size and depth of cut. I settled on a final design and made an engineering drawing.

Using this drawing, I used the IdeaForge machine shop to begin my process. My steps so far include:

  • Cutting barstock to length.

  • Machine all six faces to be parallel and have an acceptable surface finish.

  • Test polish a side.

  • Bore four of the small holes to depth.

My work to be done to finish the project includes:

  1. Bore remaining two small holes.
  2. Bore six larger holes.
  3. Polish until very shiny.

 

So far this project has been very enjoyable. Machining is a fun and exciting way to manufacture, and I enjoy doing it. It has been satisfying to have ownership of a part and its design. I look forward to finishing it in the next week.

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2 Comments. Leave new

  • That is looking great so far, and ought to be decent mill practice as well. Are you considering any secondary finish, or simply a polished look?

    Reply
  • This is a great idea for a project and I’m sure it has been an excellent experience learning to machine something that complicated. I love the idea of just having it as a desk ornament and I am doing something similar in my project. How are you planning on achieving that super shiny surface finish? I think it is going to turn out great, good luck!

    Reply

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